Eylul 
Porto, the city of great wines, mouthwatering foods, and picturesque buildings. I assure you that this vacation is going to be so much fun!
Porto is one of the most popular cities visited by travelers in Europe, and it has so many valid reasons. Beautiful Douro River, 6 amazing bridges and colorful buildings with ceramic tiles which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will see so many Instagrammable places in Porto!
In this travel article about where to stay in Porto, I will talk about the 5 best areas to stay in and give the best hotels in each neighborhood for all budgets. Whether you stay in a luxury hotel or a hostel, I have no doubt that you will have a great time in Porto.
I have searched tons of hotels and picked the best ones for you. As Porto is a very popular destination and these hotels are the greatest ones, I just want to remind you of the importance of making a booking in advance to not miss your favorite place. By making an early reservation, you will also be able to get better deals. Many of the hotels have free cancelation, so don’t worry if you change your mind!
If you are ready (I know I am), we can start our Porto tour!
Contents
Quick Picks for Your Stay
Here are the best places to stay in Porto for every budget. They all have great reviews and great locations!
Here is a map about where to stay in Porto with all the 5 neighborhoods I will be talking about in this blog post, so you can easily visualize them:
- Ribeira: for the first time
- Centro-Baixa: for nightlife
- Vila Nova de Gaia: for wine & beach
- Cedofeita: the coolest area
- Boavista: for budget travelers
1. Ribeira – where to stay for the first time
Located on the east side of downtown Porto and just south of Baixa, Riberia is the colorful side of Porto by the Douro River. Here you will not only find many amazing museums but the most Instagrammable buildings from the 18th century at Praça da Ribeira which are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Porto Ribeira is a flat neighborhood that enables you to discover all sites on foot easily. Enjoy a walk along the riverside, check out the shops and great restaurants, take a lot of photos of colorful buildings and find a cafe on the banks to enjoy the beautiful sunset with a glass of port wine. When it gets dark, you can also enjoy the vibrant nightlife in Ribeira.
FUN FACT: Portugal’s name comes from the city of Porto. In Medieval times, the country was located in Porto, in the north of Douro river and the country’s old name, Country of Portucale, eventually became the country of Portugal.
Porto Ribeira is the best neighborhood to stay in Porto for those interested in museums and history. There are so many things to do in Porto and many of them are located here! You will find very nice riverside accommodation options so let’s check out the best ones I found out for you.
This luxurious hotel in Porto is in a 16th-century building on UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is one of Porto’s top luxury hotels. The spacious art deco rooms have everything you need, and you can enjoy a great breakfast watching the river view or have a nice cocktail on the hotel’s terrace. The city centre is just a few minutes away on foot too!
Other accommodation options in Ribeira
A nice place to stay in Ribeira. The spacious rooms have amazing city and river views plus free wifi is available
This centrally located hotel in Ribeira offers a nice terrace, free wifi and easy access to Porto’s main sights
Beautiful Airbnb that has stylish rooms and a great location in Ribeira. Porto’s famous restaurants are just around the corner
Things to do in Ribeira
- Visit some museums like the Casa del Infante Museum, Museu do Vinho do Porto, and Museu da Misericórdia do Porto
- Do a pub crawl at night in Riberia
- Check out the colorful buildings at Praça da Ribeira
- Take a boat trip to the Douro River
- See the beautiful Church Of St Francis and Porto Cathedral
- Have an amazing Portuguese food at Adega São Nicolau
- Have dinner with traditional Fado music at O Fado Restaurant
- Take the coolest public transport option – the Elevador da Ribeira and reach Barredo neighborhood
2. Centro-Baixa – best place to stay for nightlife
Baixa is the downtown area and the heart of Porto (both Riberia and Baixa are considered central and are super close to each other). You will find the best shops, famous sights, great cafes, and restaurants here.
Start your day by getting lost in the labyrinth of streets in the historical center while checking out the beautiful gothic architecture. Make sure to find your way to the main boulevard, Avenida dos Aliados at some point.
After seeing the main attractions, it is time to explore the amazing food scene in Baixa. Foodies will go crazy here being able to taste so many nice traditional Portuguese cuisines. If you feel like shopping, then move to Rua de Santa Catarina where you will find the best shops in Porto.
When it gets dark it is time to check out the nightlife in Baixa. You will find small Portuguese style pubs along the street, which are always very lively. Have a port wine or a local beer and enjoy your time in Porto. You see, Baixa has everything in one place!
By staying in Baxia you can easily discover the city on foot and also will have great public transport access to all other areas. Here you will also find a great selection of hotels. I’ve already picked the best ones for you but do not forget to make a booking in advance as these hotels sell too fast!
Pestana Porto is one of the best hotels in Baixa with its beautiful medieval building. Located at the heart of the city, the luxury hotel is within walking distance to Porto’s main sights and a few minutes walk to the metro station. Pestana Porto features a fitness center, a very nice restaurant, and a bar. It’s beautifully decorated stylish rooms are great for you to relax after a long sightseeing day in Porto.
Other accommodation options in Centro-Baixa
Located at one of the best areas to stay, this hotel offers a nice indoor pool, a bar, and free wifi
This centrally located hotel is an easy walking distance to Porto’s main sights plus the metro station is a 2 minute walk
Within walking distance to Porto’s famous restaurants and shops, this Airbnb has rooms with great decoration and a garden
Things to do in Centro-Baixa
- Climb the iconic Torre dos Clérigos
- Go shopping at Mercado do Bolhão and Rua de Santa Catarina
- Have a pastel de nata (egg custard tart) at Majestic Café
- Marvel at the ceramic tiles of São Bento train station
- Visit famous Lello Bookstore
- Have a nice coffee along Avenida dos Aliados or Rua das Flores
- Check out the art shops and boutiques at Quarteirão das Artes
- Visit medieval Teatro Nacional São João
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3. Vila Nova de Gaia – the best area for wine and beach lovers
Across the River, Vila Nova de Gaia is on the south side of the city and 3 km (1 mile) from Baixa. Ponte Luis (The Luis Bridge) over the Douro River connects the two sides of the cities.
FUN FACT: Ponte Luis is designed by Gustave Eiffel, who is also the designer of the Eiffel Tower and The Luis Bridge looks like the horizontal version of the Eiffel Tower.
Vila Nova de Gaia is the heaven of port wine. Here you will be able to discover many port wine cellars and taste all types of this delicious beverage. Plus, thanks to being a hilly neighborhood, Villa Nova da Gaia offers great city views! Picture yourself having the best port watching the amazing view of the city over the Douro River. Can it get any better?
Vila Nova de Gaia is not only famous for its great wine cellars but also has easy access to beaches like Praia da Madalena and Praia da Aguda. It is the only neighborhood that has beaches in Porto so if you want to combine your Proto holiday with sightseeing and beach time, Vila Nova de Gaia is the best place to stay in Porto.
I chose the best 4 hotels in this area for all budgets and want to remind you to book them in advance if you don’t want to miss out. Speaking about popular cities, I have the feeling that most of you will pass through Lisbon while you are in Portugal, so you might want to check out the best hotels in Lisbon as well.
The Yeatman is one of the best luxury hotels in Porto. The gorgeous hotel has an excellent spa and an amazing swimming pool overlooking the river. You can enjoy dinner at their Michelin star restaurant with an amazing view over the city of Porto and do some wine tasting at the hotel. The Yeatman hotel has very romantic rooms with an amazing terrace and is also equipped with luxurious beauty products. This is surely a magical place to stay that you won’t want to leave!
Other accommodation options in Vila Nova de Gaia
This hotel rooms have amazing bridge and river views and a good breakfast is included
This nice hostel has beautifully decorated, clean rooms. Easy walking distance to Clérigos Tower and the metro
Fully equipped Airbnb which offers a comfortable stay and has easy access to Porto’s top sights
Things to do in Vila Nova de Gaia
- Join a wine tasting tour and discover Port wine cellars
- Have a walk along the River Douro at Cais de Gaia
- Enjoy sun tanning at Praia da Aguda
- Visit historic building, Espaço Porto Cruz
- Head to Praia da Madalena for beach time
- Visit Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar
- Enjoy a stroll at the beautiful Parque da Lavandeira and Jardim do Morro
4. Cedofeita – the coolest neighborhood in Porto
Cedofeita is a trendy and artsy neighborhood located west of Baixa. Here you will be discovering the art scene, colorful nightlife, cool bars, and concept stores. Some major attractions in this area are one of the museums in Porto, Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis and beautiful Crystal Palace gardens.
Porto’s neighborhoods are generally historical, but in Cedofeita you will discover the modern side of the city. Check out numerous hipster bars, go shopping to designer boutiques and organic markets, and spend hours in art galleries.
If you are into art and want to stay in a trendy neighborhood, Cedofeita is what you are looking for and you will also be within walking distance to downtown Porto!
Here are the best places to stay in this cool neighborhood.
This award-winning boutique hotel in Porto is just a few minutes walk to the center. The beautiful hotel features a very nice swimming pool where you can see the amazing view of Porto, a chic bar with a great selection of drinks, and a fabulous breakfast. These romantic hotel rooms have a very artsy vibe and private parking is available too.
Other accommodation options in Cedofeita
Located in central Porto, this stylish hotel has an amazing swimming pool with a beautiful city view
This hotel has a nice interior design and is located in an artsy part of the city. Porto’s main sights are a few minutes walk
This Airbnb has a spacious room and an amazing terrace with a view. A very nice place to stay in Porto close to the city centre
Things to do in Cedofeita
- Visit the historical the Church of Cedofeita
- Check out art galleries at Rua Miguel Bombarda
- Have a stroll at the amazing Jardim das Virtudes
- Check out cool restaurants and bars at Carlos Alberto square
- Explore amazing artworks at the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis
- Go for a stroll at beautiful Jardins do Palácio de Cristal which is built in the 19th century
5. Boavista – where to stay in Porto on a budget
Located northwest of Baixa around 3 km (1 mile), Boavista is the business district of Porto yet offers a great cultural scene and some lower prices when compared to other parts of the city. Here you will see buildings with award-winning modern architecture, the famous Serralves Contemporary Art Museum, and the Casa da Música.
The best way to discover Boavista is simply by having a walk along the beautiful streets as it feels like an open-air museum (and it’s free!). Here you will also see Porto’s largest park, Parque da Cidade do Porto.
For shopping lovers, I definitely recommend visiting the modern market Mercado Bom Sucesso. If you are a person like me who likes to discover interesting areas that are not just for tourists, you will love Boavista.
Thanks to being a less touristy area and offering so many accommodation options, in Boavista you will be able to get better deals on hotels. Of course, I’ve already picked the best of the bests for you.
The luxury hotel in Porto is located a 10 minutes walk away from the central Porto. Porto Palacio Hotel offers a rooftop bar with a panoramic city view, a nice indoor swimming pool, a fitness center with a squash court, and spacious rooms with a coffee machine. This is the best hotel to stay in Boavista, where you are sure to have a great time.
Other accommodation options in Boavista
This hotel has a nice garden, a bar, spacious rooms, and easy access to Porto’s sights
Offering breakfast and clean rooms, this hotel is a 10 minutes walk to the city center
This Airbnb has an amazing terrace with a city view and offers free bikes. Restaurants are just a few mins walk too
Things to do in Boavista
- Go for a stroll at the Parque da Cidade do Porto
- Go shopping at Península Boutique Center
- Watch the stunning view at the Castelo do Queijo
- Try traditional Portuguese dishes at Mercado Bom Sucesso
- See contemporary art at Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves
- Check out the amazing architecture of Casa da Música and listen to a music performance
| 👑 Luxury price: | €170 |
| 💵 Mid-range hotel: | €85 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | €40 |
| 🏠 Airbnb: | €65 |
| 💰 Accommodation prices: | Low |
| 📍 Best Area: | Centro-Baxia |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Pestana Porto |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | The Poets Inn |
Frequently asked questions about Porto
🏡 What’s the best neighborhood to stay in Porto?
If you are visiting Porto for the first time, the best neighborhood to stay in is Baixa due to its proximity to the main sights. Pestana Porto and Bessa Hotel Baixa are the best hotels here.
🚶♂️ Is Porto a walkable city?
Yes, Porto is a walkable city. For the hilly neighborhoods, you can easily take the metro.
🌟 What is the best luxury hotel in Porto?
Located in Centro Baixa, Pestana Vintage Porto is the best luxury hotel in Porto.
⏱️ Are 3 nights in Porto enough?
3 days in Porto is enough to discover most of the parts of the city and will give you enough time to enjoy restaurants and cafes.
🤔 Is Porto Portugal worth visiting?
Porto is definitely worth visiting with its picturesque buildings, great culture, and amazing wine and food scene.
💰 Is Porto expensive to eat and drink?
Porto is not an expensive city to eat and drink. In fact, it is one of the most affordable tourist destinations in Europe.
Conclusion
It is time for me to say goodbye to my friends. In this blog post I talked about the best places to stay in Porto with the hotels from luxury to budget as well as Airbnbs in each area and gave travel tips about the attractions you can see there.
As I’ve already said, Centro/Baixa is the best neighborhood in Porto where to stay for first-timers. However, Porto is a small city and easy to discover on foot and also has a great public transportation system. That’s why rather than choosing an area, you can focus on picking the best hotel and do not forget to make a booking in advance!
To sum up, here are the best 2 hotels in Porto with great locations and reviews that I definitely recommend you to stay in.
- Pestana Vintage Porto – the best luxury hotel to stay in Porto
- Bessa Hotel Baixa – best midrange hotel with a great location in Porto
If you have any other suggestions or questions about Porto and Portugal, please leave a comment below. I’ll be happy to leave a reply to them!
Enjoy your time in Porto,
Eylul
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LOVE the maps you include with your neighborhood posts. Why do you recommend Central Baixa over Ribeira for first time visitors to Porto? Seems like most of the first timers attractions are in Ribeira plus Vila Nova de Gaia which is also closer to Ribeira than Central Baixa is. I am traveling with my 85 yo father and looking for the neighborhood which allows us to be in the thick of things the best without walking everywhere. Thank you!! You post on where to stay in the Algarve was so helpful! Jennifer, USA
Hi Jennifer!
Happy to hear you liked our Algarve post, hope you were able to score some nice deals! 🙂
As for Porto, we recommend Baixa because it is close to all the museums but also is full on nice restaurants, we also tried to choose only the places that are in the south part of Baixa, so it is close to Ribeira in any way.
But you know what, i think you are right and we should move Ribeira to #1 in order not to be confusing, thanks for your question! Also, since you are going with a 85yo farther, Ribeira will be the best option for you as all the main attractions will be very very close.
Thanks again, we will move the order around,
have an amazing trip! 🙂